Don’t Dismantle the Postal Service

AUGUSTA, GA - The United States Postal Service provides affordable, universal service to millions of American households and businesses six days a week. Unfortunately, the Postmaster General and some members of Congress seem intent on ending Saturday mail delivery and dismantling this vital universal network.

But compromising the strength of the United States Postal Service is a counterproductive move that would hit many Americans—small-business owners, senior citizens, rural residents and veterans in particular—very hard.

On Sunday, March 24th, Americans across the country gathered in support of Delivering for America’s mission to strengthen, not shrink, the United States Postal Service. The plan to dismantle the Postal Service and end six-day service is an attack on the future of this great institution, on the customers who need it, and on the employees who support it.

Augustans voiced their support by joining a Delivering for America rally to preserve six-day delivery on March 24.

The U.S. Postal Service already moved the mail processing and distribution out of Augusta, one of 223 closings nationwide, which ultimately will lengthen the time it takes first-class mail to get from one mailbox to the next.

The Postal Service has made the decision to move all mail processing operations from the Augusta Processing and Distribution Facility to the Columbia, S.C., and Macon Processing and Distribution Centers.

“The decision to consolidate mail-processing facilities recognizes the urgent need to reduce the size of the national mail-processing network to eliminate costly underutilized infrastructure,” Chief Operating Officer Megan Brennan said. “Consolidating operations is necessary if the Postal Service is to remain viable to provide mail service to the nation.”

Second Larger City for Nothing

It means nothing for Augusta to be the second largest city in Georgia. For many residents we're really missing having someone in the right offices to push and to pull for what goes on in Augusta.

Columbia sits on I-20 and I-26, Macon sits on I-75. That's why probably they are getting the Augusta mail.

This truly is one quasi-government agency that could be cut and turned over to private industry.

The financial problem it faces now comes from a 2006 Congressional mandate that requires the agency to “pre-pay” into a fund that covers health care costs for future retired employees. Under the mandate, the USPS is required to make an annual $5.5 billion payment over ten years, through 2016. No other business does that. Some residents suggest that Congress should stay away from controlling any business and the USPS can fix itself.

It is certain the lose of their jobs for some employees (30-100) if this move is what it takes to streamline operations and save money, according to supporters. More employees are going to be impacted if the Saturday delivery is over.